Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-05-16
CORNER STONE LAID
OF THE LELAND STAMFORD, JR.,
UNIVERSITY AT PALO ALTO.
Simple and Impressive Ceremony
The Uncomfortable Address
What the Stone Contains, etc.

The cornerstone of the Leland Stanford
Jr', University was laid on Saturday with
simple and interesting ceremonies. The
$50 morning train from San Francisco con-
veyed the Trustees and guests to Menlo
Park. the Trustees, a majority of whom
attended, occupying a special car On ar
irving at Menlo Park Station, Governor
Stanford met his guests, and number of
vehicles took the visitors to the scene of
the ceremony. The site selected for the
main building of the University, at the
northwest corner of which the stone was
to be laid, was soon reached. There about
400 people had gathered Over the spot
canopy of canvas had been erected. Be-
meath this stood the Trustees and the sing
ing class of the Menlo Presbyterian
Church.
THE CEREMONY.
Senator and Mrs. Stanford occunied seats
upon the platform Immediately before the
blocks of the foundation, and on each side
of them, in the front row of seats, sat Mrs.
Lathrop, Mrs Stanford's sister, and Mrs.
w. E. Brown, Mrs. Moses Hopkins. Mrs.
Croker, and Mrs. H. w. Scale. Behind.
upon the staging and about the stones.
were gathered the trustees of the institution
and other guests, while other interested
spectators grouped themselves in the vi
cinity of the scene. When all was ready
Senator Stanford arose, and with uncovered
head, said in low voice: I'VE will begin
the exercises with a prayer by Rev. DIR.
Stebbins."
THE INVOCATION
Rev. Horatio Stebbins then offered the
following impressive prayer:
Almighty God, above all the works of Thy
hands Thou hast made Thou are an inaccessible
light, an eternal life. In acclaim of power and
in praise we lift up our voices to Thee, HOLY,
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty who art
the God. When Thou didst appoint the heavens
and earth and laid the corner stone thereof the
morning stars sang together and all the suns in
accord shouted for joy. Thou ddst take counse!
of no man, tnat he should instruct Thee or lead
Thee in the path of judgment or teach Thee
knowledge, or show Thee the way OF understand
ing: thou hast uncovered the waters in Thee
hollow OF Thy hand, meted out the heavens with
span, comprehended the dust of the earth
,w !9is the mountains IN Thy scales and the
hills in the balances. When we consider Thy
Work-the heaven Thou has made and the mill
IONS OF thy stars radiant, and, what is more
that Ihou art mindful of the son of man-that
angels and crowned him with glory
and honor that Thou hast given him
dominion over all Thy works, made all
things hali beneath him-oh, Thou who
mast brought forth the phenomena of nature and
given eternal life, we bow before Thee with
humble reverence and lift up our hands in joy
In the presence of Thy work, of the sun and
moon, world and stars, we humbly rejoice that
Thou hast made us partakers of that nature In
the name OF that nature in the name OF man, we
Implore Thy blessing nov upon the work of our
hands and the 1ntents If our hearts. We lay
this stone.this precious cornerstone approved
Dy the builders as a sure foundation-and we
consecrate it and all that shall be reared upon
1t, OF hope, or thought, or feeling to Thy spirit
grief we would light up the pile that shall be
reared here. Upon the heavens above and the
earth beneath to the dear spirit we would give
here a living immortality while his bright Shirt
dwells with Thee in eternal life; and to that
end we consecrate all earthly successes, and
my servants came bowIng humbly down to i'm
Piore ihee 70 receive the gifts which they lay at
my feet. Oh Thou, from whom all he ly de-
slres. good counsels and just words do pro-
coed, give us heritage and good success Estab-
lish Thou the work of our hands, and here may
master builders and workman of God build from
generation TO generation and the name
that our work bears, may it be a signal of
good to mankind forever. Thou who art God
were all the nations dead. let Thy blessing come
upon our commonwealth, the State of Califor-
MIA, upon the Governor and the people and let
human interests have the gracious benedictlon
OF heaven. Stretch forth Thine arm and pro
tectlng power over all our common country.
assuage the passions of men, kindle the light of
intelligence, of reason and of honor, and let
Thy blessing descend upon Thy servant. the
resident OF the United states, and his coun-
selors, to the end that the root of the nations
life may be in everlasting righteousness, and
That liberty may be gratefully and reverently
used-that power may be exercised with even
justice among the strong and with tender re-
gard and protection for the weak and that the
stability of our nation may be in knowledge
and IN wisdom; that the use of wealth may
be discreet and moderate and beneficial, and
That here the people may be blessed abund-
antly. And may no earthly success no pride of
Arm on whom we all depend. And to Thee be
glory and honor and power and dominion for
ever. Amen.